Banana Wrap Dent Removed?

[MWBishop]

Wife backed into our trailer and put a pretty big dent into the banana wrap. Can that be "popped" back like a dented fender, or are we looking at a fairly major repair at JC? If the latter I'll just leave it dented for the foreseeable future since only cosmetic.

[HiJoeSilver]

It can be "popped" back out if you remove it but it won't be perfect, usually you'll still see some creases in the metal. A metal shop can probably do a pretty good job.

When I had mine off for shell off, I was able to pound out some old dents pretty well. Then my dad rammed the mower into ine trying to get under the trailer. Not sure if I'll pull it off to fix it right now. Definitely pissed.

[MWBishop]

Thanks.
I won't mind the creases, but removing is another story.
Think I'll just wait for a visit to JC and get quotes then.
Hopefully all else will be well and that trip is far into the future.

[blkmagikca]

Originally Posted by MWBishop

Thanks.
I won't mind the creases, but removing is another story.
Think I'll just wait for a visit to JC and get quotes then.
Hopefully all else will be well and that trip is far into the future.

After a tread separation damaged the banana wrap, JC patched and painted new metal. It looks fine and the cost was not prohibitive - mainly labor.

[featherbedder]

I removed my left front corner wrap took to shop that english wheeled. Had several bad sharp creases, can't tell ever damaged. Cost was $250.00 still better than pur. black plastic wrap then painting

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by MWBishop

Wife backed into our trailer and put a pretty big dent into the banana wrap. Can that be "popped" back like a dented fender, or are we looking at a fairly major repair at JC? If the latter I'll just leave it dented for the foreseeable future since only cosmetic.

Banana wrap is the curved plastic part that wraps the belly at the corner. (I learned from this forum) If that is what is damaged, maybe it can be popped out. But I doubt it. will be pretty.
http://odmrv.com/catalog/index.php?m...&keyword=belly

Belly wrap is painted aluminum sheet metal that runs along each side, the transition from wall to belly. Is this is what you are needing to repair? When mine was damaged by road debris. I bought some new metal at Out of Doors Mart and made a repair myself.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f476...ri-105774.html

[clydecrashcu]

If your lower curved piece is metal than you can easily remove the piece by drilling out the rivets. Once that is done have a small bag of sand available. Take a peening hammer or soft tipped mallet and slowly tap the dent from the backside while the wrap is resting on the sand bag for backing. This is a trick used by jewelers and auto body repairmen and novices. You can remove all dents, creases are more difficult to get rid of. Aluminum stretches and cannot be repaired like sheet metal can. Try not to back hammer or peen the original dent to far on the good side. Below are before and after peening.

[fwjumper]

Sorry about the big ding on your new trailer. If it is a straight piece, which I assume it is, the repair would be fairly simple and inexpensive. I would be happy to talk you through it. Send me a pm and give me your phone # or I'll give you mine.
Will

[Lumatic]

Is the banana wrap metal or plastic?

[MWBishop]

Ahh.
So I learned something again.
It is the black aluminum belly-wrap just below the heat exhaust panel (which needs replacing too). The actual plastic banana-wraps are all ok. The belly-wrap is not badly damaged enough to warrant pulling off and attempting a repair at this time. Mostly just cosmetic in nature.

But worse, the aluminum side-panel where the heat exhaust panel is attached is slightly compressed (but very slightly). So if stand from the back and look down the length of the trailer can see the side slightly bow inward there. That ironically way be the costliest to repair even though the damage "appears" so minimal.

But since all the damage is cosmetic, I'll likely just wait to see if I have any warranty items to be addressed in a year or so. At that time I'll get JC to look at this damage and then go from there. Certainly to me not worth a special trip up there.

Thanks for all the input everyone.

[rmatkovich]

Take it to UR local body shop and they can pull the dent then fill with body pudie and have then paint both panels on each side with the older B-van paint and no one will know the diff and much cheaper than replacing panels. No one knows my four corners R painted until I say something.

[jump]

What size are the rivets used to hold the curved panel just behind the wheels. Mine was damaged when a tire blew out.

Anyone know ?

[HiJoeSilver]

Originally they were 1/8", you'll have to use 5/32" for replacement. 5/32" Olympic rivets if you can't buck them. 5/32 modified brazier heads if you can buck them. All available at vintage trailer supply.

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by jump

What size are the rivets used to hold the curved panel just behind the wheels. Mine was damaged when a tire blew out.

Anyone know ?

Are you asking about a wall panel or belly wrap panel?

If you are asking about belly wrap, I did this a few years ago.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f476...ri-105774.html

Make sure the rivets you use are aluminum.
Mill finish 1/8" blind (pop) rivets will work in the belly metal where it is attached behind the belt line, behind the extrusion.
Mill finish 1/8" with a longer rivet to fasten the extrusion at the belt line. You might also find steel screws behind the belt line molding.
Black 1/8" blind rivets into the outriggers.
Large flange mill finish rivets where belly wrap attaches at the intersection with the belly pan. I think 3/16", but maybe 5/32".

HiJoSilver's reponse is for wall panels. (I assume)

[jump]

Question was about the curved banana wrap panel, not side panels. So ... blind pop rivets.

After removing a few of the rivets, the 1/8's seem to be a little loose while the 5/32's are too big.

[HiJoeSilver]

drill the holes up to 5/32" for the bigger rivets which is recommended for a better hold. This is done when using Olympic rivets.